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The National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), in a bid to uplift the plumbing sector and workforce, has brought together PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, and Singapore Plumbing Society (SPS), with support from Public Utilities Board Employees Union (PUBEU), NTUC U SME and NTUC Training and Transformation (NTUC T&T), to leverage the unique strengths of these stakeholders and develop a sector-level Operation & Technology Roadmap (OTR) for the plumbing industry. This partnership demonstrates how tripartism can work to strengthen business and workforce transformation for SMEs, particularly for the plumbing sector.
NTUC brings tripartite partners together to chart ten-year sector wide plan
Recognising that there is a need for a more robust progressive job and training framework for workers in the plumbing sector, PUBEU worked with PUB, NTUC and SPS to explore solutions to uplift the sector. This resulted in a sector-wide OTR, named “Plumbing in the New Era”, where different stakeholders were involved in the planning and formulation of a ten-year plan for the sector.
With over 60 plumbing companies who are hiring around 200 licensed plumbers, SPS identified multiple challenges facing the plumbing industry, including a lack of progressive training and pathway for plumbers; lack of transparency in pricing for plumbing services; increasing requests from consumers for plumbers to be equipped with good knowledge and skills; and the differing standards within the industry due to unlicensed plumbers. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated the importance of plumbing as an essential service that requires a sustainable and skilled workforce.
PUB works closely with SPS and the water sector to better understand the challenges faced and support required to grow the industry. PUB has been actively involved in the OTR workshops to help raise the competency and standards of the plumbing industry. The agency plays an influential role to lead, guide and motivate collaborating companies to embark on business transformation, while introducing upskilling, training and certification initiatives to ensure professional standards.
Sector OTR to develop career progression and training framework
Through the OTR, the partners have identified key external drivers that will transform the industry and internal drivers to uplift plumbers’ skills. Key deliverables of the OTR include manpower development, education and awareness within the plumbing sector and positive reinforcement within the industry to build the workforce sustainability. Specifically, SPS will be working with PUB, relevant government agencies and NTUC to explore developing structured career progressing pathway and training framework. By professionalising the sector, this will help create a win-win solution to not only grow the sector’s workforce, attract, and retain new and younger entrants into the industry, but also support the growth and professionalisation of companies within the industry.
With consumers becoming increasingly discerning, having a pool of licensed plumbers will give greater confidence to the consumers – be it in handling plumbing or repair work, or in servicing new smart technology and equipment.
All these were done over the course of four sessions, which provided a structured framework for multiple partners in the industry to jointly chart out the plumbing sector and workforce transformation roadmap. The fourth and last OTR workshop, which was held today, saw the President of SPS Mr Tan Wee Teck sharing views about the OTR, SPS’ priorities, and key follow ups with the completion of the OTR.
NTUC and Singapore Plumbing Society commit to transform companies and upskill workers
As a firm commitment to making the sectoral OTR work for both companies and workers, SPS and seven SME members have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NTUC U SME, to strengthen the working relationship with the Labour Movement. This MOU will send a strong message on the Labour Movement’s readiness to support other industries, transform companies, upskill workers and prepare them for the new economy.
NTUC Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) Dr Koh Poh Koon, who is also the Group Director of NTUC T&T, shared his thoughts at the final session of the OTR workshop. DSG Koh said, “With SPS leading the roadmap together with the participation of PUB and PUBEU, supported by NTUC U SME and NTUC T&T, we are able to strengthen the business and workforce transformation plans for this essential services sector. This is in line with NTUC’s efforts to scale up sector-wide transformation and uplift workers’ career and skills progression.”
Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Director of U SME (Small and Medium Enterprises), NTUC, shared her observation of every industry and sector needing a champion like SPS to keep the industry moving and elevate the workforce’s skills and jobs continuously. “NTUC U SME will partner trade associations like SPS to build a strong a sustainable workforce. We look forward to linking up with more trade associations to help them map out visible pathways for businesses of all sizes, and activate the appropriate assistance from NTUC and our partner stakeholders, to help their workforce transform with their companies.” she said.
“The plumbing industry forms an important part of Singapore’s water value chain, serving as the touchpoint to customers for their residential and commercial plumbing needs. PUB is supportive of the “Plumbing in the New Era” roadmap to upskill and drive transformation in the plumbing industry to better serve customers and enable the industry to better meet future challenges” said Mr Ridzuan Ismail, Director of Water Supply (Network), PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency.
“This OTR is a timely boost for the Singapore Plumbing Society as it helps identify transformation opportunities for our industry and its workers. As owners of the roadmap, SPS plans to work with the various partners and stakeholders to develop the plumbing industry for the next 10 years, strengthen the voice for this profession and step-up initiatives to promote Singapore plumbing both locally and abroad” said SPS President Mr Tan Wee Teck.
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